Professor Jim McFarlane

Senior Adviser

Professor McFarlane is actively researching the role of hormones, growth factors and their binding proteins in the regulation of reproductive and metabolic processes. He is particularly interested in the transforming beta family of proteins and the newly discovered hormone leptin. His lab is also active in applied and commercial research, particularly in the area of horse reproduction and veterinary pharmaceuticals. Professor McFarlane is also the director of the Physiology Analytical Laboratory which is accredited and licensed by the Australian Pesticide and Veterinary Medicine Authority (APVMA) to test and release a range of veterinary pharmaceuticals.

Dr Muren Herrid

Managing Director

Dr Herrid was awarded a PhD in Reproductive Physiology by the University of New England (UNE) in 2003. He then took up a postdoctoral position at the Section of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Manitoba, investing the effect of adipose hormones – leptin, adiponectin and resistin on gestational diabetes. In 2004, Dr Herrid returned to Australia to a research scientist position with CSIRO (Animal, Food and Health Sciences) and worked for 9 years. Dr Herrid was a core member of the scientific team of CSIRO Flagship project "Testis Germ Cell Transplantation and Sex Ratio Control". The team was first to demonstrate a proof of concept of testis germ cell transplantation in sheep and cattle. This discovery has been described as a rapid means to disseminate superior genetics and is likely to revolutionise the stud stock industry.